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Journal abstract

This study found that specialists and PCPs perceive the quality of their communications with each other differently regarding referral and consultations. Physicians who did not receive timely communications regarding referrals or consultation reported that it impacted their ability to provide high quality care. This highlights the importance of effective referral as a clinical skill, and the need to improve inter-profession communication between primary care physicians and specialists.

Presently, methadone is the recommended treatment for opioid-dependent pregnant women, but is associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is characterized by opioid withdrawal symptoms in the newborn, which often requires longer hospitalization and treatment. Buprenorphine, FDA-approved in 2002 for the treatment of opioid dependence in non-pregnant individuals, hasn't been extensively studied during pregnancy. Yet, a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) found that buprenorphine offers an alternative to methadone in the treatment of opioid-dependent pregnant women. The study compared buprenorphine to methadone in 131 mothers and their newborns at eight international sites.

A very long-term longitudinal study of heroin addicts. The information presented is excellent, although the experiences of heroin addicts who began using the drug in the late 1960s may be substantially different from the experiences of modern addicts.

This abstract discusses a study done on the feasibility of an unobserved buprenorphine induction protocol. The study involved 103 patients who were heroin users and prescription opioid misusers, and discusses safety and rates of complications from induction through follow-up.

Analyzes the misconceptions that arise from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and discusses when health care providers should use their professional judgment in deciding whether a disclosure is necessary.

Source:

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 2005 Apr 13;293(14):1766-71.

Pages

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